Sample-display case.



N0. 695,325. Patentt Mar. H, |902.

` C. S. MRHHS.

SAMPLE DISPLAY BASE.

(Applicntic'n filed. Juno 26, 1901.)

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Nrrnn Starts CALVIN S. MORRIS, OF

SAMPLE-DIS ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

PLAY CAS E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 695,326, dated March 11, 1902.

Application filed J' une 26, 1901. Serial No. 66 ,126. (No inodeLl To al?, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CALVIN S. Monats, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Sample-Display Cases, of which the following is a specitication.

This invention relates to sample-display cases, the main object of the invention being to provide a case composed of several hinged sections or trays adapted to be folded compactly together for transportation and to be spread out upon a table or other support, so that the contents of all the sections or trays may be instantly and effectively displayed.

The case is especially designed for the use ot' traveling men for enabling them to display samples of their goods, and one of the chief aims of the invention is to combine the several trays or sections of the ease in such manner that when the case is folded for transportation the several trays or sections thereof are virtually dust-proof and air-tight, thus adapting the case particularly for carrying and displaying perishable goods-such as candies, crackers, and tine groceries-the case being equally as well adapted for carrying and displaying other goods, such as Wearingapparel and the like. rlhe several sections or trays are also combined in such manner that when the case is folded there is no tendency for the same to fall open, eventhough the catch which holds the sections together be disengaged. 2

W'ith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in a folding case embodying certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated.l and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end view of a folding case constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the same closed. Fig. 2 is also an end View thereof, showing the case partially open. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the case all the Way open, showing the manner of hingedly connectingtheseveraltraysorsections. Fig. 4. is a detail section showing the joint between the hinged meeting edges of the sections.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the draw ings.

The case is composed of a plurality of sections, four of suoli sections being illustrated in the drawings. The trays or sections designated at 10, 11, 12, and 13 are all equal in size, being of the same length, width, and depth and having their abutting ends or sides connected by hinges. The inner sections 11 and 12, as shown in Fig. 3, are connected at their adjacent ends or sides to bottom pieces 14, which are the counterpart of each other and which are connected at corresponding edges by means of one or more hinges 15, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The outer sections 10 and 13 are connected to the inner sections 11 12 by means. of hinges 1G, the leaves or members ot' which are respectively connected to the adjacent surfaces of the meeting sides of said sections, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4:.

Each section ot the case has that edge which bounds the open side of the tray or section rabbeted, as shown at 17, to receive the correspondingly-rabbeted edge of the adjoining section, which is adapted to fold thereon. The character ot the joint between the meeting edges of the sections Will be best understood by an examination of Fig. 4, in which it will be seen that the rabbet (indicated at 17) consists of a transverse shoulder 18 and `a convex shoulder 19, while the rabbet of the adjoining section hinged thereto is composed of a transverse shoulder 2O and a concave shoulder 21. The convex and concave shoulders 19 and 21 are struck on the same are of a circle of which the pintle of the hinge 16 is the center, so that as the outer sect-ion is folded inward upon the inner section the shoulders 19 and 21 will slide in contact with each other and bearat alltirnes snugly against each other, thereby forming a Virtually dustproof and air-tight joint. In this way perishable goods-*such as candy, crackers, and the like--may be transported in the case and preserved for a considerable length of time.

Flexible handles or grips 22 are connected to the outer portions of the inner sections 11 and 12 for adapting the casete be carried by hand when closed, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and the said inner sections are also equipped with the complemental portions of catches or fasteners 23 for preventing the sections or trays from opening accidentally.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the case is composed of four sections which are the counterpart of each other, thus reducing the cost of manufacture, that the trays or sections are combined in such manner as to-exclude dust and render the compartments of the case practically air-tight. It will further be seen that the base-pieces by which the inner sections are hingedly connected are the counterparts of each other and, further, that when the case is folded and placed upon the floor, ground, or other support the said base-pieces form the rest for the case and prevent the tendency of the trays or sections to open and fall downward.

A case of the construction described permits a traveling man to instantly and eiectively display any samples which may be con-- tained in the several trays or sections and quickly fold such trays or sections together after exhibiting the contents thereof.

I am awarethat it is not new to constructa case with sections or trays hinged togetherat their meeting edges, so as to fold inward upon cach other and into parallel relation; but I am not aware of the existence of any case in which the sections are combined in such manner as to produce a virtually dust-proof and air-tight joint between the folded sections or trays.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

Afolding case consisting of aseries of trays of equal size hinged together, the inner sections being connected to a pair of base-pieces of equal size hinged together and forming the bottom of the case, and the outer sections being hinged to the outer portions of the inner sections, the meeting edges of the sections or trays being rabbeted to tit each other, the rabbets of the inner sections embodying transverse and convex shoulders and the rabbets of the outer sections embodying transverse and concave shoulders, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof- I afx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CALVIN S. MORRIS.

fitnessesz EMMET PEYToN, GEO. B. COPP. 

